Vendors and Music for the 2016 Season Opener

Well, some rain is falling as this post goes out, but it’s forecast to start trailing off late this morning, leaving the skies partly cloudy (or partly sunny, depending on your point of view) this afternoon for our 2016 season opener.

As this is such a big day for our market, we’re hoping that you greet the clouds as a welcome relief from Spokane’s recent record-breaking heat and join us in a new location with more vendors, more volunteers, more parking, more visibility, more sponsors, more activities and more community partnerships than we’ve ever had before.

Today’s Kids Eating Right – Nutrition and Exercise for Life (KERNEL) activity is companion planting. As part of the activity, kids will get a basil plant to take home. Plus, as always, every youth who participates gets $2 in KERNEL Cash to spend on fresh fruit or vegetables!

This year KERNEL will take place every week of the market under the shade of the metal pavilion at the new site (2310 N Monroe). Bring your family, friends, school classes and other K-6 groups and take advantage of this great free activity each week.

Our musician today is the amazing Todd Milne.

Todd plays electro-acoustic world fusion music using traditional instruments like the shakuhachi (a Japanese bamboo flute) enhanced by a splash of technology. You might have seen him perform at other area farmers markets, where his music makes a great accompaniment to a bit of shopping and socializing. Check out this video of him performing at the Spokane Buddhist Temple in the South Perry District.

At around 3:45pm, we’ll be recognizing the winners of our annual market poster contest, Brynn Hooper and Madison Whitmarsh. These two Garfield Elementary students drew the pictures that we selected to feature on our poster and our handbills. They’ll each get $15 in market tokens for spending.

Now let’s get to all the vendors who are scheduled to join us today:

• Mama Torrez Salsa: Original family salsa recipes from Mexico and flour tortilla chips
• Sandi’s Bakery: Fresh-baked pastries, cookies, scones, muffins, breads and cupcakes.
• SnowBerry Ridge Farm: Raw honey and honey products (e.g., beeswax, lip balm, natural soaps).
• Song Sparrow Farms: Fresh, locally grown produce, including melons. Also does a CSA.
• Farm Yard: Neighborhood-grown fruits and vegetables. Some craft items.
• Sister Bees Kitchen: Handmade, gourmet granola and granola bars.
• Transitions New Leaf Bakery: Baked goods and fresh produce from their garden.
• The Scone Ranger: Scones that are so good, so moist, so habit-forming.
• Simply Sweets: Baklava, soft brittles, truffles, mints and seasonal products
• Mary Beauregard: Plastic canvas needlepoint.
• Woodard Family Farms: Locally grown produce.
• A Simplified Event: Homemade specialty pies, breads, cakes, cottage-style pasties.
• KC Creations: Original photography, greeting cards, beaded earrings and other beaded items.
• Seely Teriyaki: BBQ teriyaki chicken, stir-fried noodles and rice.
• Morning Sun Bakery: Cinnamon rolls, pies, cookies, quiche (warm & cold), savory pies (warm).
• Urban Settlements: Spokane-based real-estate opportunities and guidance.
• KiYoTees: Recycled jean bags and tie-dyes.
• Riverfront Farm (Project Hope): Neighborhood-grown, scattered-site produce.
• Mary’s Tupperware: Tupperware containers for storing vegetables and fruits.
• CC’s Holistic Gifts & Toast Toppers: Exceptional fruit spreads with no added sugar. Plus aromatherapies and salves.
• Made with Love: Start-up bakery with fruit pies, artisan bread and more.
• Black Fire Kettle Corn: Fresh-made delectable kettle corn.
• Drumheller Heritage Gardens: Neighborhood-grown produce, eggs (quail, chicken). Also info on EF Exchange.
• R.P. Guerrero: Organic tree fruit from the Wenatchee area.
• Vladimir Kuzmenko: A wide variety of co-op produce from across Washington State.
• Sunny Springs Gardens: Berkshire pork sausages and ground pork, plus eggs.
• Heeling Hands Massage Therapy: Licensed chair massage and whole-body wellness.
• Soap Simply: Handcrafted olive oil soap.

Plus the Christ Kitchen food truck will be there for freshly prepared meals to take home or eat at the market.

Clouds or no clouds, it’s going to be a big day. We look forward to seeing you there!